This is just a quick post to celebrate yet another first in my writing career.
I got my first royalty check!

You might be wondering, "But Jamie, why is this a thing? You've been paid for writing before." (And I will be again, that's the beauty of it.)
Here's a quick explanation of royalties in the first place. When you traditionally publish a book, most of the time you get an advance. This is a sum of money the publisher pays you up front for the rights to publish and make money from your book. In some ways it's a bet they are placing on you. Now, when you receive an advance, you don't get paid for your book right away. You have to wait until your book sells enough copies that the publisher makes back the money they gave you. This is known as "earning out your advance". THEN you start getting paid for any sales after that point.

So, why is my first royalty check a big deal?

Because it means I've earned out my advance. *shakes it* It also means that from here on out any and all sales of WILD CARD end up putting a little jingle in my pocket.

And, on a more personal note, it means that (barring outside interference, acts of gods or an implosion of the global economy) I will have a quasi-regular income. While the number of that income could be next to nothing, the fact still remains that it is there. I haven't had a regular paycheck in almost 9 years. (Since my daughter was born and I made the choice to stay home full-time with her.) Sure, royalties aren't secure and I can't budget with them in mind, but it's something that I can contribute to my family.

And that is pretty damn awesome.
Also, it means my agent got paid a bit, too. I like knowing that Jennie gets paid.

So yeah. WOOT!

PS: If any of you were waiting for some reason to pick up WILD CARD, now would be a great time! *smooch*